From September 29th to October 1st, the SBC Summit 2026 will welcome thousands of gambling industry representatives under one roof. The meeting will be held at Lisbon’s Feira Internacional de Lisboa and MEO Arena.
Organisers expect around 40,000 attendees. One of the grand event’s highlights is a dedicated section exploring regulation, technology, and other market shifts across Western Europe.
Key Details About the Region-Focused Track
The panel series will take place on September 30th on the Global & Emerging Markets Stage. Confirmed attendees include operators, regulatory bodies, and prominent leaders from the UK, Italy, Sweden, Portugal, and other countries.
Discussions will cover:
- legislative changes;
- technological advancements;
- competition from unlicensed platforms;
- emerging trends in player behaviour within the region.
According to Rasmus Sojmark, SBC’s CEO, Western Europe is home to some of the world’s most developed gambling markets. Nevertheless, maturity does not equate to stability. Rising taxes and regulatory shifts are creating a challenging period for many companies.
The program will kick off with a session dedicated to the impact of technology on operator GGR and audience engagement in Europe. Speakers will include:
- Paddy Desmond, Tote’s Group COO;
- Eberhard Dürrschmid, Golden Whale’s CEO;
- Marinos Shiapanis, Campeón Gaming’s CEO, etc.
Experts will examine which cutting-edge solutions can enhance player LTV and retention rates. Visitors will also discuss the flip side of innovation: some tools add operational complexity without delivering commensurate results.
Other key panels are as follows:
Beyond the Reform: Italy
This session will focus on legislative overhauls and new tenders. The local market situation features increasing competition alongside promising emerging opportunities.
Joining the meeting will be:
- Marco Tiso, Sisal’s MD;
- Marco Castaldo, Microgame’s CEO;
- Fabio A. Bufalini, Stake Italy’s Country Director, etc.
Guests will explore how recent oversight transformations and upcoming bids affect land-based gambling operations. The panel will highlight potential consequences for market entry, competition, and operator strategies.
The Dutch Dilemma
The list of speakers comprises:
- Björn Fuchs, VNLOK’s Chairman;
- Cristiano Blanco, Spincore Group’s CEO;
- Justin Franssen, Franssen Tolboom’s Partner, etc.
A presentation will focus on the Netherlands' rising restrictions and the expanding local black market. Unauthorised brands now account for up to 20−30% of total national demand, driven by harsh rules and high GGR taxes.
Experts will discuss key challenges facing the iGaming industry, such as:
- deposit limits;
- advertising bans;
- growing operating costs;
- competition from offshore brands.
The UK Squeeze
Mounting regulatory pressure across the gambling business in Great Britain will be the focal point. Specialists will explore the market’s maturity and the new challenges it faces. Andy Wright, LeoVegas Group’s MD UK&I, is set to be the main speaker.
He will examine legislative shifts that could significantly impact the industry:
- rising tax burdens;
- tightening of advertising regulations;
- measures regarding the accessibility of iGaming;
- financial risks associated with market changes, and others.
Scandinavia: Denmark, Norway, and Sweden
Fiscal obligations and other operator requirements are central to this session. Guests will learn about a broad range of topics, from changing audience behaviour to rising promotion expenses.
Confirmed participants are:
- Jesper Eliasson, PAF’s Director;
- Fredrik Wastenson, LeoVegas' MD Nordics;
- Anders Dorph, Spillemyndigheden’s Director, etc.
Experts plan to analyse the impact of the tax burden, restrictions on bonus payouts, payment controls, and regulatory compliance costs. They will also specifically examine how new legislative provisions affect customer acquisition and retention in Scandinavia.
Portugal’s Gambling Evolution
The national segment has grown rapidly, bringing new requirements. A dedicated session will focus on both opportunities and pressing factors in the country. Against the backdrop of rising iGaming revenues, visitors will explore channels for further development, as well as issues around player protection and legal compliance.
Key participants are:
- Bernardo Neves, APAJO’s Secretary General;
- Fernando Carvalho, Solverde’s Head of Operations;
- Monica Rangel, WPT’s VP of Marketing & Strategy, etc.
Other Panels and Topics
The remaining subjects are as follows:
- Sweepstakes beyond the hype. Guests will join Alexandre Tomic, Alea’s founder, to discuss the sector’s real potential, backed by collected data. Visitors can learn about user behaviour, content strategies, market shifts, GGR prospects, etc.
- Gambling regulation in Ukraine. Attendees will hear about strategies to suppress illicit gaming, new advertising approaches, and robust protection systems in the country. The gathering will also reveal a national course for further development.
- Georgia’s licensing disruption. The state is working to build a global operating base that unites certification, banking, fiscal, relocation, and other components. Visitors can discover how the process is going.
- Prediction platforms. European delegates will get lessons from their US colleagues. The conference focuses on the segment’s rapid growth. Analysts will discuss American cases useful to operators and regulators and assess how applicable their experience is across the EU.
Hands-on Implications of Legislative Changes
Mr Sojmark noted that the series of panels is designed not only to identify current issues, but also to find practical solutions. Everyone, from operators and tech suppliers to oversight authorities and legal advisors, will be able to gain valuable insights during the gatherings.
Comparing approaches in different jurisdictions allows summit guests to:
- assess the industry’s response to similar challenges;
- consider strategies that can support sustainable development;
- determine the consequences of individual regulatory measures, and more.
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